The old man looked into Fledgeby’s little eyes for any sign of leave to be easy with Mr. Twemlow; but there was no sign in them.

“ Mr. Twemlow is no connection of yours, Mr. Riah,” said Fledgeby; “you can’t want to be even with him for having through life gone in for a gentleman and hung on to his family. If Mr. Twemlow has a contempt for business, what can it matter to you?”

“But pardon me,” interposed the gentle victim, “I have not. I should consider it presumption.”